There’s something rather wholesome about the thought of collecting your own warm eggs on a misty morning. For many rural homeowners, a small flock of hens adds gentle rhythm and purpose to the day. But before you start browsing coops or naming your future layers, it pays to prepare properly.
As a mature, professional housesitting couple trusted to care for homes, pets, and poultry across Wiltshire and the Cotswolds, we’ve gained a lot of experience caring for our clients' flocks which might range from a handful of hens to a flock of 30 or more. We've learned that, whether you’re taking over an existing flock or starting fresh, a little foresight will save time, money, and stress for you and your birds.
1. Choosing the Right Breed for Your Lifestyle
Before you fall for feathered charm, think carefully about temperament, egg yield, and noise level.
- Hybrids such as the ISA Brown or Black Rock are reliable, hardy layers ideal for beginners.
- Pure breeds (Orpingtons, Sussex, Marans) are gentler and often better suited to gardens where aesthetics matter.
- Bantams make delightful, compact companions if space is limited, though naturally their eggs are smaller.
I’d recommend starting with a few Pure Breeds, perhaps Sussex, Marans, or Orpingtons, for a rewarding and beautiful flock with good egg production.
Optionally, add 1–2 hybrids like ISA Browns to boost the egg count.
2. Coop, Run and Security: Getting Housing Right
A good coop should offer 1 sq ft of indoor space per bird, with solid ventilation, dry flooring, and at least one nesting box per three hens. More critical still is security.
Foxes, martens, and even opportunistic dogs can make quick work of a weak latch or flimsy mesh. Another smart and very common neigbour to watch for is the resident crow. They're smart and once they've figured out where your hens are laying, they'll be breakfasting on the eggs before you've even brewed your first cuppa.
Tips for securing your run and coop:
- Fit galvanised weld mesh, not chicken wire (the latter keeps birds in, not predators out).
- Use bolted locks rather than hooks or clips.
- Bury fencing at least 30 cm deep to stop burrowing.
- Provide automatic pop-hole doors or time switches if you’re away overnight.
3. Feed and Nutrition: Quality In, Quality Out
Chickens thrive on consistency. Offer a balanced layer pellet (16–18% protein), fresh water, and a little mixed corn only as an evening treat.
Avoid the temptation to over-treat; too many kitchen scraps can disrupt digestion and attract rodents.
Keep feed in sealed containers and refresh daily. A small quantity of poultry grit supports shell quality, while oyster shell provides extra calcium for older hens.
4. Routine Care: Calm Habits for Healthy Hens
Create a simple, repeatable schedule:
Morning: open pop-hole, top up feed and water, collect early eggs.
Afternoon: scatter corn, observe flock for pecking order changes or signs of distress.
Evening: count birds in, close pop-hole, and check perimeter security.
Routine observation helps you spot potential health issues early: dull plumage, reduced appetite, or standing apart from the flock are all warnings worth noting.
5. Cleanliness and Biosecurity
Clean the coop weekly at least. Remove droppings, replace bedding, and spray perches with red-mite treatment.
As of 1 October 2024, all keepers of poultry and most other captive birds in England and Wales must register their birds with DEFRA, regardless how many or few you keep.
Even small flocks benefit from good hygiene practices:
- Wash boots and hands after handling birds.
- Keep wild birds away from feed areas.
- Quarantine new hens for 10–14 days before introducing them.
Note: During avian influenza alerts, government housing orders may apply — a reminder that chicken-keeping is as much responsibility as pleasure.
6. Integrating Chickens into a Pet Household
Many of our clients’ properties feature both dogs and hens, and harmony is entirely achievable with steady introductions.
- Always introduce through fencing first.
- Reinforce calm behaviour with a firm “leave it.”
- Never allow unsupervised contact until you’re completely confident.
Well-trained dogs often become quiet guardians of the flock, but supervision remains non-negotiable.
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too many birds, too little space. Overcrowding invites bullying and stress.
- Neglecting nighttime security. A single oversight can be devastating.
- Assuming they’ll ‘just get on’. Pecking orders can be brutal without enough perches and visual barriers.
- Ignoring legal limits. Selling eggs beyond friends and neighbours requires registration with your local authority.
8. Responsible Planning: What Happens When You Travel?
If you take holidays or travel frequently, plan your flock’s care in advance. A trustworthy sitter familiar with poultry can manage feeding, egg collection, and security, but should always be briefed with clear instructions, emergency contacts, and vet details.
We recommend preparing a concise “Hen Care Checklist” much like our Essential Homeowner Checklist for a Perfect House Sit, ensuring any carer can step in confidently.
9. A Word on Rodents — A Reality Check for New Chicken Keepers
Where there’s poultry feed, there will eventually be rodents. Even the tidiest hen-keeper will, sooner or later, attract rats or mice. They’re drawn not by the birds themselves, but by the easy pickings of grain, pellets, and spilled corn.
Essential Preventive Measures
- Store feed in metal bins with tight-fitting lids — not plastic, which rats can chew through in a night.
- Feed little and often. Avoid leaving excess pellets or corn overnight.
- Keep the run tidy. Sweep up spilled grain daily and clear vegetation or rubbish where rodents might nest.
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If you’re considering adding hens to your garden, start small, plan carefully, and approach it with the same attention you’d give any other animal under your roof. The rewards, fresh eggs, amusing company, and that unmistakable country contentment, are worth the effort.
At A-Breed-Apart, Mandy and I have cared for large and small flocks of every feather (Hens & Roosters, Turkeys, Christmas Turkeys, Peacocks, and Ducks) while the owners travel with peace of mind. If you’d like to discuss poultry care during your next trip, we’re happy to schedule a call followed by a meet and greet.
👉 Contact us today to arrange a chat about secure, reliable home and poultry sitting.
Frequently Asked Questions for First-Time Chicken Keepers
Do I really have to register my chickens with DEFRA?
Yes. Since 1 October 2024, new legislation in England and Wales requires all poultry and captive-bird keepers to register their flocks — even if you keep just one hen as a pet.
Registration is free and ensures DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) can alert you quickly during any disease outbreak.
👉 Register your poultry here – GOV.UK
How much space do my hens actually need?
Plan for a minimum of 1 square foot of indoor coop space and 8–10 square feet of outdoor run per bird.
If you can offer more, they’ll reward you with calmer behaviour and stronger egg production. Overcrowding leads to stress, bullying, and hygiene issues, all preventable with good design.
Can chickens live safely alongside dogs and cats?
Yes, with sensible introductions and supervision. Start with visual separation through a fence, reinforce calm behaviour in your dog (“leave it”), and never allow unsupervised mingling until you’re completely confident. Many well-trained dogs become quiet guardians once boundaries are set.
What’s the simplest daily routine to keep hens healthy?
- Morning: open the coop, replace water and feed, and collect early eggs.
- Afternoon: observe for changes in pecking order or behaviour.
- Evening: count all birds in, secure the coop, and check locks and lighting.
Consistency builds trust, reduces stress, and makes it easier for you to spot early symptoms of illness.
What happens if I go on holiday? Who looks after the chickens?
Ideally, engage a sitter familiar with poultry rather than leaving them to a neighbour. Provide written routines, vet contacts, and security notes, just as you would for your dogs or cats.
Professional, insured housesitters like A-Breed-Apart, offer complete peace of mind, ensuring your birds are kept secure, fed correctly and nurtured while you’re away.
Related Reads
- Designing the Perfect Chicken Coop: Safe, Secure and Fox-Proof
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Author Bio
Glenn Bauer is a trusted professional specialising in property, pet, and livestock care for rural homeowners across Wiltshire, the Cotswolds, and South-West England. Together with his wife Mandy, he provides tailored, privacy-conscious house- and pet-sitting services with a reputation for calm, reliable care. Read more about their story here.
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